8 week versus 16 week course length

Just curious, which would you folks prefer in terms of course length? I like the 8 week format because you move at a faster pace. But a colleague of mine was saying that with 16 week courses since the coursework moves slower you are able to complete 2 courses per semester.

Just curious, which would you folks prefer in terms of course length? I like the 8 week format because you move at a faster pace. But a colleague of mine was saying that with 16 week courses since the coursework moves slower you are able to complete 2 courses per semester.

I have taken 2 courses at 8 weeks pace, it is brutal! I prefer 16 weeks but then I start to procrastinate. What I have done is take one course at a time, finish as fast I can and move to the next course.

8 week courses. Because if you time it correctly and the courses are available you can complete 4 courses in a 16 week semester. However, if you can't handle the workload and pace, the 16 week semester makes sense.

The 8 week advantage for me was that my employer would only pay for half time, or no more than 2 courses per semester (16 week), because anything more than that is considered full-time for graduate studies. So the 8 week allowed for me to complete at least 3 courses per semester but never more than 2 at a time, which worked out great for my boss who could tell the training folks that I was not enrolled in more than two courses at a time. What they didn't know was that I also paid for some courses myself so that some semesters I was completing 4 classes. I was never asked and I didn't volunteer the info.

Like Randell I travel a good bit so I have lots of time at night in a motel to complete studies.

I've taken 8 week, 5 week, and 16 week courses. My experience has always been that the content is the same in any case, only the pace changes. It's mostly up to what you can handle. Typically the accelerated courses offer more flexibility in start dates. So, you could stagger them such that you can handle more of them concurrently because the finals and such don't fall within the same week. You usually don't get that opportunity when stacking traditional full semester courses (some weeks could get pretty nasty if you do).

I've taken two 8 week courses at once while working full time and I'd not recommend it if you want to have any semblance of a social life. :D

Danny

M.S. in Project Management, University of Wisconsin-Platteville (In Progress)

B.S. in Individualized Studies (Project Management), Charter Oak State College

Wow, this is interesting folks. I've been looking at different schools and it seems that the online schools like AMU/APU utilize the 8 week schedule while the B&M schools with online components tend to follow the traditional 16 week semester schedule. I guess there are advantages and disadvantages in every situation.

I prefer the 16 week. Currently, I'm enrolled in Aspen and take the courses independently. I have 10 weeks to finish a course and my work schedule is very often not cooperative. I had to ask for an extension once because there was just no way I would finish on time.

I wish they allowed 12-16 weeks to finish. It would take some of the pressure off and be much more accommodating to full time+ employees. My CCU courses were open ended and that was a godsend. I'd like to take a few interactive courses with Aspen but those have to be completed in 8 weeks. That's just not possible for me.

California Coast University

California Coast University

CCU offers the following online degrees: Associate’s Degrees in Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Healthcare Administration, and Marketing; Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Healthcare Administration, Management, Marketing, and Psychology; MBA’s with concentrations in General Business, and Human Resources Mgmt; Master’s in Education in Curriculum & Instruction, and Education Administration; and a Master of Science in Management and Psychology.

Well, 8-week is too fast; but 16-week course is too slow. I perfer 10-week course, Troy University offer these courses duration. I loved it, I could complete 2 courses without sweat, but 3 courses are too much.

I prefer the 16 week. Currently, I'm enrolled in Aspen and take the courses independently. I have 10 weeks to finish a course and my work schedule is very often not cooperative. I had to ask for an extension once because there was just no way I would finish on time.

I wish they allowed 12-16 weeks to finish. It would take some of the pressure off and be much more accommodating to full time+ employees. My CCU courses were open ended and that was a godsend. I'd like to take a few interactive courses with Aspen but those have to be completed in 8 weeks. That's just not possible for me.

Yeah, that is why I do not do the interactive courses. The independent mode at Aspen fits my lifestyle well.

Nice to hear from you again,

Abner :)

A.A. Cypress B.S. - California Coast University, M.B.A. - Aspen University
"If a Samurai's head were to be suddenly cut off, he should be able to perform one more action with certainty" - Hagakure

Well, 8-week is too fast; but 16-week course is too slow. I perfer 10-week course, Troy University offer these courses duration. I loved it, I could complete 2 courses without sweat, but 3 courses are too much.

I think 10 weeks is a good fit as well. It offers a balanced approach.

prefer 1 class at a time

I'm down to my last 2 classes at TUI MHSM program. TUI offers classes in a 12 week period. I prefer taking one class in a 6 or 8 week period because I can streamline my efforts to that one class. With two classes I find it harder to switch modes especially if you have more than one activity for each class like participating in discussions.

I'm down to my last 2 classes at TUI MHSM program. TUI offers classes in a 12 week period. I prefer taking one class in a 6 or 8 week period because I can streamline my efforts to that one class. With two classes I find it harder to switch modes especially if you have more than one activity for each class like participating in discussions.

Wow, this is interesting folks. I've been looking at different schools and it seems that the online schools like AMU/APU utilize the 8 week schedule while the B&M schools with online components tend to follow the traditional 16 week semester schedule. I guess there are advantages and disadvantages in every situation.

While I was studying at AMU/APU I preferred the 8-week schedule because I had to stay focused for a shorter period of time on a single subject. The compressed schedule allowed me to rack up credit hours faster with the flexibility to take a break sooner if necessary.

Quote: Wow, this is interesting folks. I've been looking at different schools and it seems that the online schools like AMU/APU utilize the 8 week schedule while the B&M schools with online components tend to follow the traditional 16 week semester schedule. I guess there are advantages and disadvantages in every situation.

Liberty offers online degrees in the following subject areas: a huge selection of programs in Religious Studies (Associate's, Bachelor's, and Master's), a Master's Degree in Human Services, Master of Science in Nursing, Business (Associate's, Bachelor's, and MBA), Education and Teaching (Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate), Liberal Arts (Associate's, Bachelor's, and Master's), and Counseling (Associate's, Bachelor's, and Master's).

Liberty has an outstanding reputation for the quality of its education and scholarship, though the strong Christian affiliation may be objectionable to some.

The school is regionally accredited, the most widely recognized accreditation.